First Annual Eparchial Catechist Retreat Held

August 3, 2026

Theresa Grondin gave an overview of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to everyone, including an extensive Q&A session with catechists.On July 31 - August 2nd, the Eparchy of Phoenix held its first Catechist Retreat at Saint Stephen Cathedral in Phoenix, welcoming over 50 catechists from across the Eparchy in preparation for the new catechetical year. Two full days of learning, fellowship, and planning laid the foundation for renewed programs in the parishes of the eparchy and more catechist gatherings in the years ahead. The presentations will be available soon on the Eparchy's YouTube channel.

Bishop Artur and Father Michael Mandelas with Father Christopher Zugger, the Director of Education and Evangelization for the Eparchy of Phoenix, Father Joel Barstad, Father Nathan Adams, Father Daniel Dozier, and all of the catechists who attended.

Father Daniel Dozier of Saint George in Olympia, WA gave catechists an overview of the liturgical architecture of Byzantine Catholic churches, including a rare in-depth look at the composition of the altar area behind the iconostasis.

Theresa Grondin, the Eparchial Coordinator for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, gives a tour of the new atrium at St. Stephen Cathedral. Certified catechists spent all day Friday with Theresa reviewing CGS materials for Byzantine Catholic updates.

Father Chris Zugger welcomed attendees with his opening keynote speech on Friday evening before dinner. He stressed that "we cannot evangelize without education" and that "we must use education to build up our communities so that we can fulfill our primary mission as Byzantine Catholics: the salvation of souls."

Clergy and catechists broke bread and shared stories on Friday evening before the full-day session on Saturday.

Bishop Artur welcomed the catechists on Saturday morning, stressing his hope that this will be the first of many such catechist gatherings in the eparchy.

Theresa Grondin gave an overview of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to everyone, including an extensive Q&A session with catechists.

Father Joel Barstad of Holy Protection of the Mother of God in Denver, CO spoke on Growing in Byzantine Prayer, and the importance of a catechist's prayer life.

He began his session with attendees praying the Third Hour from his book "Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos" a Devotional Book of Hours, which each attendee received.

It is available for all to purchase here.

Father Nathan Adams of Our Lady of Wisdom Italo-Greek in Las Vegas, NV gave a two-part presentation on Presenting a Bible Study based on the principles of St. Augustine.

Father Daniel Dozier, who delivered the first presentation on Friday, gave the final presentation of the conference on Saturday evening, mapping out a framework for a full-year of instruction for catechumens in Reviving the Byzantine Catechumenate

After the catechists participated in a group Conversation in the Spirit about how they will bring the fruit of this gathering to their parishes, Bishop Artur encouraged them to live as missionary catechists in a part of the country that is hungry for the Word of God.

The back of the retreat program featured a dedication to Sister Jean Marie Cihota, who inspired the formation of generations of Byzantine Catholics and whose memory continues to guide and encourage us today.